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Project Noah Nature School
Buteo jamaicensis
This is a large member of the hawk family. As pictured…brown topside, lighter underside of body and wings.
These hawks were spotted at Spring Valley Ranch in Red Rock Canyon west of Las Vegas. This is a riparian area, spring fed, with Arizona Ash trees. The surrounding area is where the Mojave Desert meets the Spring Mountains.
This hawk breeds throughout North America, and occupies a variety of different habitats including desert, mountain and wooded areas. We spotted this one as we heard its high pitched ‘raspy' call. It was perched, and then flying low at treetop level, presumably searching for prey. We have seen several in this area, which may have been a breeding pair.
Spotted on Aug 26, 2016
Submitted on Aug 31, 2016
15 Comments
Thanks, Leuba...I never get tired of seeing raptors in flight. Powerful and graceful at the same time.
I could keep looking at that first photo forever - amazing, that sweep of feathers and what's about to come....
Congratulations !
Thanks, Triggs!
Congrats on yr SOTD Jim.
Thanks Neil and Felix!
Thanks Danielle and Rangers...SOTD very much appreciated!
Yes, a big congrats on your SOTD, Jim. This is a great spotting. I particularly love the third photo. Quite amazing.
Congratulations Jim! This great set of images has earned you a Spotting of the Day!
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Great series, Jim!
Thanks, Danielle!
Fantastic series of images Jim! Watch this space :-)
Thanks, Triggs...the shutter sped was at 1/5000. It works if you open the aperture wide, and it was as well a bright sunny day. The focus is difficult when the bird is almost coming at you, and I was lucky to have it all work when I took the photo.
Great set of images Jim. Can I ask what shutter speed you used for image 3? Brilliant angle!
Thanks, Ava!
Your third picture is amazing!